Utah woman is named director of U.'s community service center

From a large pool of national applicants, Utahn Linda Poulson Dunn has been selected as the director of the University of Utah's Bennion Community Service Center.

"Her enthusiasm, optimism and ability to bring together groups of people for a common goal were consistent themes from those who know her," said Kari Ellington, associate vice president for student development at the U.

Dunn, current vice president of Dunn Communications and recent executive director of Utah Campus Compact, assumed the post Monday.

"I'm excited to work with the students, faculty, administration and community partners to continue the important work the Bennion Center has been engaged in the past 20 years: that of connecting campus, the curriculum and the students with the active role of citizenship in the community," Dunn said.

Dunn has served in many capacities in the community, including 25 years as a teacher in the Salt Lake City School District and at Skyline High School. She earned both a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's in educational administration from the U.

During her five years with Campus Compact, a statewide service-learning effort, Dunn worked with administrators and faculty across the state, helping them to understand and implement academic service learning.

As director of the Bennion Center, Dunn said she hopes to enlarge its mission to engage more of the campus and community partners.

"I hope to bring an increased sense of collaboration within the university and with more community partners," she said.